Productivity at work

This article shares some productivity tips for getting work done more efficiently.

Start Early

One of the best things you can do is starting your work early. I recommend it to be before 9 AM as it will poise you well for the day. Remember that working early entails sleeping early, so make sure not to dive into infinity pools such as Instagram and YouTube around your bedtime.

Time blocking

This is something that I started experimenting with recently. The idea is to keep sacrosanct time for the most important tasks of the day by blocking your calendar for a certain duration. Ensure that you are not perturbed by external factors such as messages or email – set your phone on "Do not disturb" mode. I recommend doing this early as you will feel immensely satisfied once done, with ample time available for other tasks.
An example could be to keep your slot from 9 - 11 AM. Once you are done, allow yourself to check notifications, answer emails, etc. Experiment yourself to see what works best for you.

Use headphones/earphones

We all know that offices can get quite noisy with clicky keyboards, chattering employees and what not. Hence, it is probably the right time to invest in a pair of earphones or headphones. If your budget allows, I would recommend buying the ones with noise-cancellation.

Listen to music

We all love music. Agree? Listening to music can aid studying or working. If you have not tried it, give it a shot and see if it benefits. I understand that one might not be enticed by this idea at first, especially for attaining focus. On the contrary, I believe it can potentially elongate your focus "zone". I suggest dabbling with various study/work playlists on your favorite music-streaming app.

Sit in open space

I recently started working in my balcony and I wish I had done it sooner. Open space brings with it fresh air, chirping birds, trees to look at, and more. I believe it can improve your focus and, more importantly, alleviate stress and anxiety – fresh air helps. Make sure to charge your laptop as a power socket might not be available. If your office is located in a tower, it is likely that working personnel have access to some sort of balcony or rooftop where you can work peacefully. Do explore that.

Have peppermint tea

Most of you are probably accustomed to gulping a mug of coffee within the first hour of work. As an alternative, try out some peppermint tea. It is naturally caffeine-free and can take you out of the morning slump. Plus, the mint will freshen up your mouth and breath.

Take a break

Working continuously can exhaust your mind. It is important to realize that and revitalize by taking a 15-min break or so. I suggest taking a stroll around the office, or sitting in some open space as mentioned earlier. Try indulging in some deep breathing. Do it for a minute – to add some oomph, set a timer on your smartphone by asking your favorite voice assistant – and observe the difference. This is something that I do when my mind is gushing with thoughts, or if I am solving an intricate problem, or about to give a presentation. You may also do some stretching to loosen up your joints and muscles.

Try incorporating the above tips into your routine to work better. Hope you enjoyed the read! If you wish to learn more tips, check out the book and blog Make Time by ex-Google employees Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky.